Floor Levelling Arrangement and Method Therefor

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a settable material aligning arrangement that allows for settable material to be aligned to a desired level before the settable material sets. It can be used for ensuring that a poured concrete floor or shotcreted wall is levelled accurately. The settable material aligning arrangement is fixed to a support base and includes a base arrangement and an aligning formation that can be fixed at varying distances from each other by a coupling arrangement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a settable material aligningarrangement and method therefor.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in the constructionof concrete floors and will be described hereinafter with reference tothis application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention isnot limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently when floors are poured from settable material such as cement,concrete, grout or the like, a laser level, automatic level or similar,is provided that sets the level of the floor at a datum distance fromthe floor. As the settable material is poured, a workman moves aroundthe floor, using a tape measure to measure the requisite distancedownwardly of the laser level, to ensure that the settable material hasreached the required height.

This method of testing the floor level is not accurate, and aninaccurately poured floor may result in the finished product beingdefective and requiring costly repairs. Also, while the workman movesaround the floor, this may disturb the poured settable material,resulting in ripples and an imperfect floor. Similar problems may beencountered when shotcreting settable material such as cement ontowalls.

The follow-on effects of not having a perfectly level floor pouredinitially may require that an additional layer of screed or cement willneed to be poured on top of the floor. This adds weight to aconstruction, and requires additional costly manpower and floorlevelling compound such as compounds sold under the trade name Ardit™.In extreme cases, the floor may be required to be pulled up, or grindeddown.

Such errors stand out more where the floor being poured is for use as aburnished or polished concrete slab.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a settablematerial aligning arrangement, which will overcome or substantiallyameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to atleast provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that theinformation forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention may be said toconsist in a settable material aligning arrangement suitable forfacilitating the levelling of settable material on a support base usinga settable material, the settable material aligning arrangementcomprising:

-   -   a. a base arrangement configured for being mounted securely on        the support base, and    -   b. an aligning formation configured for defining a level at        which the floor is to be poured;    -   c. a coupling arrangement configured for coupling the base        arrangement to the aligning formation in at least two or more        positions at varying heights from the support base.

-   Coupling Arrangement

In one embodiment, the coupling arrangement is configured for couplingthe base arrangement to the aligning formation in an infinite number ofpositions between an extended position and a retracted position.

In one embodiment, the coupling arrangement comprises engagingformations on one or more selected from the base arrangement and thealigning formation, and complementary engaging formations on the otherselected from the base arrangement and the aligning formation.

In one embodiment, the coupling arrangement comprises locking formationsfor facilitating the locking of the base arrangement and aligningformation in a selected position operationally.

In one embodiment, the locking formations comprise one or more selectedfrom apertures and recesses configured for receiving a fastener.

In one embodiment, the coupling arrangement comprises one or moreselected from:

-   -   a. a socket and spigot formation;    -   b. a sliding formation;    -   c. a threaded formation; and    -   d. a bayonet formation.

-   Aligning formation

In one embodiment, the aligning formation comprises a spigot formation.

In one embodiment, the spigot formation defines external threadedformations.

In one embodiment, the aligning formation comprises zones of engineeredweakness, rendering the aligning formation frangible along those zones.

In one embodiment, the zones of engineered weakness are configured forfacilitating the breaking off of at least a portion of the aligningformation after setting of the settable material in operation, tothereby remove evidence of the settable material aligning arrangementlocated in the set settable material.

In one embodiment, the aligning formation comprises engaging formationsfor engaging with a tool to break the aligning formation along the zonesof engineered weakness.

In one embodiment, the engaging formations configured for engaging witha screwdriver or other suitably engineered tool.

In one embodiment, the aligning formation is integrally moulded.

-   Base Arrangement

In one embodiment, the base arrangement comprises a base formationdefining a flat surface for abutment against the support base.

In one embodiment, the base arrangement comprises a plurality of legsextending from a base formation.

In one embodiment, the base arrangement comprises fastening formationsconfigured for facilitating the fastening the base arrangement securelyto the support base.

In one embodiment, the fastening formations comprise one or moreselected from holes and apertures configured for receiving fasteners.

In one embodiment, the base arrangement comprises a socket formation.

In one embodiment, the socket formation defines internal threadedformations configured for threaded engagement with the external threadedformations of the spigot formation.

In one embodiment, the spigot formation comprises one or more selectedfrom an aperture and a recess configured for receiving a fastener.

In one embodiment, the base arrangement is integrally moulded.

In one embodiment, the settable material aligning arrangement comprisesat least one or more holding formations configured for holding a conduitat a vertical distance from a surface on which the base formation isbeing supported.

In one embodiment, the holding formations are configured for holding anyone or more selected from:

-   -   a. a conduit;    -   b. a pipe,    -   c. reinforcing bar;    -   d. mesh; and    -   e. any other structure.

In one embodiment, the holding formations define a recess configured forreceiving at least one or more conduits.

In one embodiment, the holding formations define at least one or moreclipping formations configured for securing a conduit in place once ithas been received into the recess.

In one embodiment, the settable material aligning arrangement comprisesa plurality of holding formations.

According to a further aspect, the present invention may be said toconsist in a method of aligning a settable material on a support base,the method comprising

-   -   a. providing at least one or more settable material aligning        arrangements as described;    -   b. securely fastening said at least one or more settable        material aligning arrangements to a support base on which a        settable material is to be poured to set as a level floor;    -   c. adjusting the distance of the aligning formation of at least        two or more of the fastened settable material aligning        arrangements to be in alignment with each other;    -   d. pouring settable material onto the support base up to the        same level of the aligning formation of the settable material        aligning arrangements that have been levelled with each other.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of applying vibrationto the settable material.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of applying a pattingmotion to the aligned surface of the settable material until it settlesat the level of the levelled aligning formations.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of smoothing thesettable material to align with the aligning formations of at least oneor more settable material aligning arrangements.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of supporting at leastone or more structures on at least one or more holding formations.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of breaking a firstzone of engineered weakness on an aligning formation to adjust thelength of the aligning formation.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of breaking a secondzone of engineered weakness on an aligning formation to adjust thelength of the aligning formation.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts,elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification ofthe application, individually or collectively, and any or allcombinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, andwhere specific integers are mentioned herein which have knownequivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such knownequivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually setforth.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top front perspective assembly view of a first embodimentof a settable material aligning arrangement;

FIG. 2 shows a side cutaway view of the first embodiment of a settablematerial aligning arrangement;

FIG. 3 shows a top rear perspective assembly view of the firstembodiment of a settable material aligning arrangement;

FIG. 4 shows a top front perspective assembly view of a secondembodiment of a settable material aligning arrangement;

FIG. 5 shows a side cutaway view of the second embodiment of a settablematerial aligning arrangement;

FIG. 6 shows a top rear perspective assembly view of a second embodimentof a settable material aligning arrangement;

FIG. 7 shows a side cutaway view of the second embodiment of a settablematerial aligning arrangement installed in a poured floor;

FIG. 8 shows a side cutaway view of the second embodiment of a settablematerial aligning arrangement installed in a floor with a portion of thealigning formation above the zones of engineered weakness removed;

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a second embodiment of analigning formation;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a third embodiment of an aligning formationof FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of a third embodiment of a basearrangement;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a base arrangement ofFIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 shows a side cutaway view of a fourth embodiment of a settablematerial aligning arrangement installed in a poured floor.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features aregenerally indicated by similar numerals, a settable material aligningarrangement according to a first aspect of the invention is generallyindicated by the numeral 1000.

-   Apparatus

In one embodiment now described, there is provided a settable materialaligning arrangement 1000 for facilitating the pouring of settablematerial 3000 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) onto a support base 2000 to forma level floor when the settable material 3000 sets. While the inventionis described below with reference to its application in the levelling ofa concrete or cement floor, it is envisaged that the same invention canbe applied for use where any settable material is applied to a supportbase, and that the support base need not necessarily be horizontallyaligned. For example the support base can be a wall that is beingshotcreted, or a wall on which plaster is being applied, whethermanually or in an automated fashion. Any reference to the word“levelling” is intended to encompass the broader concept of generalalignment in a required mutual plane.

The settable material aligning arrangement 1000 comprises a basearrangement 1100 configured for being mounted securely on the supportbase, and an aligning formation 1200 configured for defining the planeat which the floor is to be poured to.

The base arrangement 1100 and the aligning formation 1200 are coupled toeach other by a coupling arrangement 1300. The coupling arrangement isconfigured for coupling the base arrangement 1100 to the aligningformation 1200 in preferably an infinite number of positions between anextended position in which the aligning formation is further from thesupport base 2000, and a retracted position in which the aligningformation is closer to the support base 2000, by means of complementarythreaded formations as will be discussed in more detail below.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the coupling arrangement 1300comprises engaging formations associated with the base arrangement 1100and complementary engaging formations associated with the aligningformation 1200. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the engagingformations are a spigot and socket arrangement 1310, with the socket1330 being defined by and coupled to the base arrangement 1100, whilethe spigot 1320 is defined by and coupled to the aligning formation1200. The socket 1330 is preferably tubular in shape, and the spigot1320 is preferably also tubular in shape, and dimensioned for beingreceived within the socket 1330. The spigot 1320 defines externalthreaded formations 1322, while the socket 1330 defines internalthreaded formations 1332 configured for complementary engagement withthe external threaded formations 1322 operationally.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the arrangementof the spigot and socket arrangement 1310 can be reversed with respectto the base arrangement 1100 and the aligning formation 1200. Forexample, the spigot 1320 may be attached to the base arrangement 1100,and the socket being associated with the aligning formation 1200.

It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thecoupling arrangement 1300 could comprise a wide variety ofconfigurations, including but not limited to a sliding formation; asliding formation with a tightening mechanism, a tightly fitting slidingformation, a threaded formation; and/or a bayonet-type formation.

It is anticipated that, once the coupling arrangement 1300 has been usedto set the height of the aligning formation 1200 from the base support,as will be discussed in more detail below, the coupling arrangement 1300will be locked in that preferred position, to prevent the aligningformation 1200 being accidentally displaced. In the preferredembodiments shown in figures, the coupling arrangement 1300 compriseslocking formations in the form of an aperture or hole 1340 configuredfor receiving a fastener 1342 (shown in FIG. 3) such as a screw or nail,which can be inserted into the spigot 1322 lock the base arrangement1100 and aligning formation 1200 in a selected position operationally.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lockingformations include a pair of ridges 1350 extending vertically along thesocket 1330. It is envisaged that a screw may easily be screwed throughthe socket 1330, using the pair of ridges 1350 as a guide.

It is anticipated that the hole 1340 could be replaced by a recessedslot (not shown) in an alternative embodiment.

It is further anticipated that alternative means for locking thecoupling arrangement can be provided, for example in the form of abonding resin or a more complex locking arrangement. However, theillustrated embodiments are preferred for reasons of reduction ofcomplexity and cost.

In addition to the spigot 1320, the aligning formation 1200 shown in thefigures comprises a disc 1220 defining a flat alignment surface 1230,against which the settable material 3000 is aligned in operation at analigned surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the aligning formation 1200 comprises zonesof engineered weakness 1210. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, thezones of engineered weakness 1210 are configured as a slot in the outerwall of the spigot 1320 above the external threaded formations 1322. Thezones of engineered weakness 1210 render the aligning formationfrangible along those zones, and allowing the aligning formation 1200 tobe broken off at predetermined locations or lines by application offorce to the aligning formation 1200 to thereby remove evidence of thesettable material aligning arrangement located in the settable material3000 after it has set, as will be discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, in order to assist in the rupturing of the zonesof engineered weakness 1210, the aligning formation 1200 comprisesengaging formations in the form of a pair of apertures 1222 in the disc1220. The apertures 1222 are configured for engagement by a tool—forexample a tool comprising two protrusions configured for snug engagementin the apertures 1222, and which includes a lever arm for applyingtorque to the aligning formation 1200 about a vertical axis to therebycause the zone of engineered weakness 1210 to rupture, and allowing anupper part of the aligning formation 1200 to be removed after thesettable material 3000 has set. In this way, the base arrangement 1100and the lower portion of the aligning formation 1200 are hidden withinthe set settable material 3000, and no evidence of their existence showsin the aligned surface of the settable material 3000 except for a smallhole which can be filled in with a small amount of additional settablematerial 3000. It is envisaged that the upper part of the aligningformation 1200 above the zones of engineered weakness can be removedduring the pour, or once the settable material has at least partiallyset.

It is further envisaged that more than one zones of engineered weakness1210 can be provided along the length of the aligning formation 1200, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the aligning formation 1200 shown in FIGS. 9and 10, the additional zone of engineered weakness 1210 can be used forreducing the overall length of the aligning formation 1200 beforeconnecting the aligning formation 1200 to the base arrangement 1100using the coupling arrangement 1300. In this way, a single piecealigning formation 1200 can be used for application in pouring a widerange of concrete floor widths.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is envisaged that theengaging formations could, for example be a star shaped or linearlyshaped recess 1224 configured for engaging with a screwdriver or thelike.

It is anticipated that the aligning formation 1200 will preferably becomposed of plastic and integrally moulded in one piece in preferably aninjection moulding process, although other moulding processes are alsoenvisaged. Similarly, it is anticipated that the base arrangement 1100will be composed of plastic and integrally moulded in one piece in amoulding process. However, in an alternative embodiment, it is envisagedthat either of the aligning formation 1200 or the base arrangement 1100,or both, can be composed of any other suitable material, including butnot limited to aluminum, steel, glass or wood.

It is further envisaged that either or both of the aligning formation1200 or the base arrangement 1100 can be integrally moulded by means ofinjection moulding, rotary moulding or any other suitable moulding. Inaddition, it is envisaged that either or both of the aligning formation1200 or the base arrangement 1100 can be cast in a mould, or printed ina 3 dimensional printing process.

As mentioned previously, the base arrangement 1100 comprises the socket1330 of the coupling arrangement 1300. In addition, the base arrangement1100 comprises a base formation 1110, shown in FIGS. 4-6 as an annularring 1116 and in FIGS. 1-3 as linear tabs or strips 1114. The annularring 1116 defines a flat surface for abutment against the support base2000. The annular ring 1116 further defines fastening formations in theform of apertures 1112 for receiving fasteners 1117 such as screws ornails which may be fastened into the support base 2000 to secure thebase arrangement 1100 to the support base 2000 before pouring of thesettable material 3000. It is anticipated that alternative fasteningformations can be provided, such as recesses, slots or the like.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the base arrangement1100 further comprises a plurality of legs 1120 extending from the baseformation 1110. The legs 1120 are configured to support the socket 1330of the coupling arrangement 1300. It is envisaged that in an alternativeembodiment (not shown) the socket 1330 could extend directly from a baseformation such as a flange, however the use of an open structure, suchas that shown in the figures, is preferred as it allows settablematerial to penetrate in between the legs 1120, and to set in thisposition, in order to permanently secure the base arrangement 1100 inposition and bolster the strength of the floor once it has set. In thisway, the integrity of the floor is not compromised by a reduction instrength around the base arrangement 1100. In addition, it is envisagedthat the fire resistance and/or soundproofing of the poured floor willalso not be compromised.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 13, it is envisaged that the basearrangement 1100 can include lugs 1118 that extend downwardly inoperation from the base formation 1110. The lugs 1118 are preferablyconfigured with an aperture thousand 119 or recess in order to receivethe fasteners 1117 in operation. In this way, the entire length of thebase formation 1110 will not be visible from underneath the concreteslab once it is poured.

Further, and as shown in FIG. 13, it is envisaged that the settablematerial aligning arrangement 1000 can include one or more holdingformations 1400 configured for holding elongate or any other requiredstructures such as water pipes, electrical conduits, networkingconduits, reinforcing bars, and mesh or other similar reinforcement,that are to be installed in the same construction, at a distance fromthe support base when concrete is being poured or applied in operation.In this way, the settable material aligning arrangement 1000 can providea dual function of facilitating the aligning the plane of the concretefloor, and facilitating the securing of conduits 400000 and the likeduring pouring of the concrete floor as will be described in more detailbelow. The holding formations 1400 are preferably shaped as a preferablyV shaped recess 1410 defining inner tapered surfaces that are configuredfor receiving a conduit from a vertically superior position. The holdingformations 1400 preferably also comprise at least a pair of resilientclipping formations 1420 for securing the conduit in place once it hasbeen received. The inner tapered surfaces of the recess 1410 allow forconduits of variable sizes to be received within the recess 1410.

In a preferred embodiment the holding formations 1400 are integrallymoulded with the base arrangement 1100. In another embodiment (notshown) the holding formations 1400 can be integrally moulded with thealigning formation 1200, although this is not preferred.

-   In Use

In use, it is anticipated that base arrangements 1100 will initially besecured to the support base 2000 by inserting fasteners such as pegs,screws or nails through apertures 1112 into the support base in order tosecurely fasten each of the base arrangements 1100 to the support base2000. It should be noted that the support base can be earth, into whichsuch fasteners can be driven, or could be wooden shuttering, or a wall.

Once the base arrangements 1100 have been fastened to the support base2000, an aligning formation 1200 will be screwed into each of the basearrangements 1100. At this stage, a laser alignment device and/or tapemeasure may be used in order to set the alignment of the alignmentsurface 1230 at the aligned surface level of the floor to be poured, andin the same plane as each other.

Once the aligning formation is 1200 have been set at the correctdistance from the support base, these are locked in position byinserting a fastener such as a screw or nail (not shown) through hole1340 and into the spigot 1320 of the coupling arrangement 1300 in orderto ensure that the distance of the aligned surface 1230 from the supportbase 2000 does not change.

After this, the settable material 3000, (which can be, for example,material including but not limited to concrete, cement or screeding andas shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as 3000) is poured onto the support base 2000up to a level flush with the flat aligned surface 1230 of the aligningformation 1200. Levelling tools such as a concrete vibrator and/or astraight flat plank or levelling tool (not shown) can be used to helpthe settable material 3000 settle and penetrate into the basearrangement 1100. In a preferred embodiment, each settable materialaligning arrangement 1000 will be installed at a distance from eachother that is slightly less than the length of any such levelling toolthat is to be used. The levelling tool can then be rested between two ofthe settable material aligning arrangements 1000 to test the level ofthe aligned surface of the floor being poured.

Once the settable material 3000 has set sufficiently to allow access tothe settable material aligning arrangements 1000, a tool such as the onedescribed above can be used to apply a talk to the aligning formation1200 to fracture or rupture the zones of engineered weakness, and removethe upper portion of the aligning formation, leaving a small hole H asshown in FIG. 8. The small hole H can be filled in by judiciousapplication of a small amount of filler material, resulting in a levelpoured floor.

It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that thesettable material aligning arrangement 1000 need not necessarily be usedto align the alignment surfaces in a single coplanar plane that isparallel to the support base. Instead, it is envisaged that slopes andundulations in the aligned surface can be created accurately andsmoothly by setting the aligning formation of the settable materialaligning arrangement 1000 at required various distances from the supportbase.

Interpretation Base

The term “base” in this specification is defined to mean a conceptualstructure or entity on which something draws or depends, and does notnecessarily require a low or lower horizontal position or orientation.

Markush Groups

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described interms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise thatthe invention is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Chronological Sequence

For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are describedin sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps areto be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless thereis no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

Embodiments

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughoutthis specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, inone or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description ofexample embodiments of the invention, various features of the inventionare sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, ordescription thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure andaiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventiveaspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claimsfollowing the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are herebyexpressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of SpecificEmbodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some butnot other features included in other embodiments, combinations offeatures of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope ofthe invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood bythose in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of theclaimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinaladjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a commonobject, merely indicate that different instances of like objects arebeing referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects sodescribed must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, inranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are setforth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in asimilar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as“forward”, “rearward”, “radially”, “peripherally”, “upwardly”,“downwardly”, and the like are used as words of convenience to providereference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

For the purposes of this specification, the term “plastic” shall beconstrued to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic orsemisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of ahydrocarbon-based polymer.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singularforms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes asused herein is also an open term that also means including at least theelements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus,including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art willrecognize that other and further modifications may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intendedto claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope ofthe invention. For example, any formulas given above are merelyrepresentative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may beadded or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may beinterchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted tomethods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificexamples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention may be embodied in many other forms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described areapplicable to the construction industries.

What is claimed is:
 1. A settable material aligning arrangement forfacilitating the levelling of settable material on a support base usinga settable material, the settable material aligning arrangementcomprising: a) a base arrangement configured for being mounted securelyon the support base, and b) an aligning formation configured fordefining a plane at which the settable material is to be aligned; c) acoupling arrangement configured for coupling the base arrangement to thealigning formation in at least two or more positions at varyingdistances from the support base.
 2. A settable material aligningarrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling arrangement isconfigured for coupling the base arrangement to the aligning formationin an infinite number of positions between an extended position and aretracted position.
 3. A settable material aligning arrangement asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the coupling arrangement comprises engagingformations on one or more selected from the base arrangement and thealigning formation, and complementary engaging formations on the otherselected from the base arrangement and the aligning formation.
 4. Asettable material aligning arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein thecoupling arrangement comprises locking formations for facilitating thelocking of the base arrangement and aligning formation in a selectedposition operationally.
 5. A settable material aligning arrangement asclaimed in claim 4 wherein the locking formations comprise one or moreselected from apertures and recesses configured for receiving afastener.
 6. A settable material aligning arrangement as claimed inclaim 5 wherein the coupling arrangement comprises one or more selectedfrom: a) a socket and spigot formation; b) a sliding formation; c) athreaded formation; and d) a bayonet formation.
 7. A settable materialaligning arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein the aligningformation comprises a spigot formation.
 8. A settable material aligningarrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the spigot formation definesexternal threaded formations.
 9. A settable material aligningarrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the spigot formation comprisesone or more selected from an aperture and a recess configured forreceiving a fastener.
 10. A settable material aligning arrangement asclaimed in claim 9 wherein the aligning formation comprises zones ofengineered weakness, rendering the aligning formation frangible alongthose zones.
 11. A settable material aligning arrangement as claimed inclaim 10 wherein the zones of engineered weakness are configured forfacilitating the breaking off of at least a portion of the aligningformation after setting of the settable material in operation, tothereby remove evidence of the settable material aligning arrangementlocated in the set settable material.
 12. A settable material aligningarrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein the aligning formationcomprises engaging formations for engaging with a tool to break thealigning formation along the zones of engineered weakness.
 13. Asettable material aligning arrangement as claimed in claim 12 whereinthe engaging formations are configured for engaging with one or moreselected from a screwdriver and a suitably engineered tool.
 14. Asettable material aligning arrangement as claimed in claim 13 whereinthe base arrangement comprises a base formation defining a flat surfacefor abutment against the support base.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled) 17.(canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. A method of aligningsettable material on a support base, the method comprising a) providingat least one or more settable material aligning arrangements as claimedin claim 1; b) securely fastening said at least one or more settablematerial aligning arrangements to a support base on which a settablematerial is to be applied; c) adjusting the distance of the aligningformation from the of at least two of the fastened settable materialaligning arrangements to be in alignment with each other; d) pouringsettable material onto the support base up to the same level of thealigning formation of the settable material aligning arrangements thathave been levelled with each other.
 26. A method as claimed in claim 25wherein the method comprises the step of applying vibration to thesettable material.
 27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein themethod comprises the step of smoothing the settable material to alignwith the aligning formations of at least one or more settable materialaligning arrangements.
 28. A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein themethod comprises the step of supporting at least one or more structureson at least one or more holding formations.
 29. A method as claimed inclaim 28 wherein the method comprises the step of breaking a first zoneof engineered weakness on an aligning formation to adjust the length ofthe aligning formation.
 30. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein themethod comprises the step of breaking a second zone of engineeredweakness on an aligning formation to adjust the length of the aligningformation